1974 Hawaii gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1974 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1974 Hawaii gubernatorial election was Hawaii's fifth gubernatorial election. The election was held on November 5, 1974, and resulted in a victory for the Democratic candidate, Lt. Gov. George Ariyoshi over Republican candidate, former State Senator Randolph Crossley.^[1] Ariyoshi received more votes than Crossley in every county in the state.^[2]

1974 Hawaii gubernatorial election

← 1970 November 5, 1974 1978 →

Nominee George Ariyoshi Randolph Crossley Party Democratic Republican Running mate Nelson Doi Benjamin F. Dillingham II Popular vote 136,262 113,388 Percentage 54.6% 45.4%

County results Ariyoshi:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election John A. Burns Democratic Elected Governor George Ariyoshi Democratic

Although he was by law Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii at the time of this election, George Ariyoshi had had all the power and responsibility of the Governorship since October 26, 1973, when Governor John A. Burns was incapacitated due to illness and Ariyoshi was made acting governor.^[3][4]

This was Crossley's second failed attempt to win the Governorship, having previously lost the 1966 election.

Primaries

Both the Democratic and Republican were held on October 5, 1974, with the Democratic primary strongly contested.

Democratic primary

Candidates and primary votes:^[5]

• George Ariyoshi, lieutenant governor: 36.18%
• Frank Fasi, Mayor of Honolulu: 31.47%
• Thomas Gill, former lieutenant governor: 30.08%
• David C. McClung, senate president: 1.79%
• Henry deFries: 0.49%

Republican primary

Candidates and primary votes:^[6]

• Randolph Crossley, former state senator: 82.47%
• Joseph K. Hao: 17.53%

General election

Hawaii gubernatorial election, 1974^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	George Ariyoshi	136,262	54.58	-3.07
	Republican	Randolph Crossley	113,388	45.42	+3.07
Majority			22,874	9.16	-6.13
Turnout			249,650	32.43	+1.38
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. "Candidate – Randolph Crossley". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
2. "HI Governor Race – Nov 05, 1974". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
3. "HI Governor - Succession Race - Oct 14, 1973". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
4. . Hawaii History. Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
5. "HI Governor - D Primary Race - Oct 05, 1974". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
6. "HI Governor - R Primary Race - Oct 05, 1974". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 19, 2013.